Watson ends drought with Riviera victory

LOS ANGELES: Bubba Watson surged to his first victory since the 2012 Masters on Sunday (Monday in Manila), capping a flawless seven-under par 64 with a birdie for a two-shot Northern Trust Open triumph.

After sweating out six straight pars to preserve his one-shot lead, Watson was surprised to see a 14-footer fall for a finishing flourish at Riviera Country Club.

His 15-under total of 269 gave him a two-stroke victory over eight-time US PGA Tour winner Dustin Johnson.

“It doesn’t feel like two years,” Watson said of his long wait to claim another title after making his major breakthrough at Augusta. “It’s crazy that it’s coming up on two years.”

He was pleased to win on the classic Riviera course, where he had leapt into contention on Saturday with what proved to be just his first bogey-free seven-under 64 of the weekend.

Johnson also played without a bogey on Sunday, but his five-under par 66 was only good enough for second on 271.